Daily
Devotional

I inherited a love for flowers from my parents. Mom was always planting something new outside and Dad faithfully brought fresh blooms inside the house. Every spring, we would buy different varieties to plant, and soon our flowerbeds would be full of bright colors. Through my love of flowers, I learned an appreciation for God’s creative genius and His power.

Once again, this spring I was digging around in my own flowerbeds. My perennials, which faithfully grow year after year, were coming up, and I had purchased some of my favorite annuals to add spots of bright color. However, first came the less desirable part: weeding! Although I do not enjoy removing those stubborn weeds, I know it is needful if my flowers are to thrive. I also know that spreading bark dust on the ground helps prevent the weeds from getting a good foothold, and that the work is much easier if that task is done before the weeds have taken over the beds.

This garden work reminded me of our Christian walk. When we are saved, God forgives all the sins we committed, making our lives like a weed-free flowerbed. But the root of sin is still in our hearts, and if not removed, that root will try to grow in our lives again. The Lord has a solution to this problem—sanctification. The experience of sanctification is what removes that root and prevents Satan from getting a foothold in our lives. Then, rather than having a natural tendency to sin, our desire is to please God. The enemy will still try to sow seeds of sin in our lives, but we can pull those “weeds” as soon as we see them. This will not always be enjoyable work, but we can make it easier by getting rid of problems before they have a chance to take over. The Lord will make our lives like beautiful, blossoming gardens.

Gardening is not done without tools; I have shovels, sprays, and other items that help keep weeds out of my flowerbed so the plants can grow. We, too, have tools that help keep sin out of our lives so we can grow as Christians. Sanctification removes the root of sin, and we also have promises in God’s Word that He will deliver us from every temptation. Past answers to prayer give us faith to overcome present challenges, and advice from faithful saints can give us guidance. Our key verse tells us to grow in grace and knowledge, and by using the tools God has given us, that is just what we will do.